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Actress Brittany Murphy dies

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Brittany Murphy's Husband Doesn't Want Autopsy

Posted Dec 20th 2009 5:47PM by TMZ Staff

Brittany Murphy's husband, Simon Monjack, told hospital staff at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center he did not want an autopsy performed on his deceased wife, multiple sources tell TMZ.

We're told, however, despite Monjack's wishes, the L.A. County Coroner's office will perform an autopsy on Murphy. As we first reported, Murphy went into cardiac arrest this morning and could not be revived.

TMZ has also learned Brittany Murphy's mother, who found Murphy unconscious in the shower and called 911, told paramedics her daughter had a history of diabetes. We have not been able to confirm if Murphy did indeed have diabetes, and if so, whether it contributed to her death.

UPDATE 8:00 PM ET -- Ed Winter from the L.A. County Coroner's Office tells TMZ foul play is not suspected at this time. Some prescriptions were found in the house, but he wouldn't say what kind, and they will be examined as well. Toxicology tests will be performed, which could take up to six weeks.

http://www.tmz.com/2009/12/20/brittany-murphy-simon-monjack-autopsy-death/

Tommy · Guru

Actress Brittany Murphy Dies Aged 32

9:26pm UK, Sunday December 20, 2009

Neal Walker, Sky News Online

Actress Brittany Murphy has died aged 32, a Los Angeles hospital spokesman has confirmed.

Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre spokeswoman Sally Stewart would not provide a cause of death, or any other information.

Murphy's publicist, Nicole Perna, released a statement regarding her death.

"In this time of sadness, the family thanks you for your love and support," she said. "It is their wish that you respect their privacy."

Website TMZ.com says Murphy suffered a cardiac arrest at a home listed as belonging to her husband, Simon Monjack.

TMZ sources say the 32-year-old actress' mother discovered her unconscious in the shower.

The website says that when paramedics arrived, they quickly determined Murphy was in full cardiac arrest and immediately administered CPR.

They continued CPR en route to Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre. Murphy was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

LA County Coroner's Office is expected to launch an investigation.

Jeanne Wolf, Editor of Parade Magazine, told Sky News that Murphy suffered from a heart murmur.

"This is a girl who was so full of life," she said. "She lit up the room when she entered. To think of her dying so young is very, very sad."

Murphy starred in 'Clueless' and '8 Mile'.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Showbiz-News/Actress-Brittany-Murphy-Dies-Following-Cardiac-Arrest/Article/200912315505404?lpos=Showbiz_News_Carousel_Region_1&lid=ARTICLE_15505404_Actress_Brittany_Murphy_Dies_Following_Cardiac_Arrest

Tommy · Guru

Last Photo of Brittany Murphy
Posted on Dec 20, 2009 @ 01:42PM

WireImage

This is the last known photo of Brittany Murphy.

The actress tragically passed away Sunday morning from a cardiac arrest.

BREAKING NEWS DETAILS: Brittany Murphy Dead

The last photo was taken December 3 at the Tt Collection Pop-Up party in Los Angeles.

PHOTOS: Brittany Murphy Through the Years

Brittany co-hosted the event with Tt designer Tiffany Saidnia.

Brittany looked chic and beautiful in her all black ensemble and her long dark hair.

http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2009/12/last-photo-brittany-murphy

Tommy · Guru

Murphy Sick and Vomiting Just Before She Died

Posted Dec 20th 2009 11:00PM by TMZ Staff

Brittany Murphy was very ill in the hours before she went into cardiac arrest and died, sources tell TMZ.

We're told Murphy was taking prescription meds for flu-like symptoms she had been experiencing for several days. We're told Murphy began vomiting early Sunday morning and told family members she was feeling very ill.

Sources say various prescriptions were found in the home -- written for Brittany Murphy, husband Simon Monjack, and Brittany's mom. One source says, "There were a lot ... a lot of prescriptions in the house."

Law enforcement sources tell us Murphy collapsed in the bathroom and somehow ended up in the shower ... there was, we're told, a significant amount of vomit in the immediate area.

We're also told authorities did not find illegal drugs in the house, but Murphy was definitely taking various prescription meds.

Sources say her condition and the meds could have triggered a heart attack, but it's too early to know. An autopsy is will be performed Monday or Tuesday. We reported earlier Monjack did not want an autopsy but ultimately it's the Coroner's call.

As we first reported, Brittany Murphy's mother told paramedics her daughter suffered from diabetes. We're told it was type 2 diabetes and people involved in the case doubt her condition caused her death.

http://www.tmz.com/2009/12/20/brittany-murphy-cardiac-arrest-diabetes-vomit-autopsy-coroner/

Tommy · Guru

Brittany Murphy -- Frantic Rescue Effort

Posted Dec 22nd 2009 12:07AM by TMZ Staff

Brittany Murphy's husband and mother made a frantic attempt to revive her before paramedics arrived ... this according to notes written by an investigator from the L.A. County Coroner's office. And, there were a shocking number of strong prescription meds on Brittany's nightstand.

TMZ has reviewed the documents, written by Investigator Blacklock. According to his notes, Brittany Murphy "had been complaining of shortness of breath and severe abdominal pain" for 7 to 10 days prior to her death. According to the notes, Murphy went into the bathroom at around 7:30 AM Sunday and shut the door.

A half hour later Brittany's mother, Sharon Murphy, went to check on her daughter, opened the bathroom door and "discovered the decedent lying on the floor unresponsive." According to the notes, Sharon yelled for help. Brittany's husband, Simon Monjack, who was in bed, heard the screams and ran to the bathroom.

According to the notes, Sharon called 911 and Simon "attempted to revive the decedent by placing her in the shower and running the water."

The notes continue -- "The decedent remained unresponsive and purged her stomach contents prior to the arrival of the paramedics."

When the paramedics arrived, Brittany was "without signs of life."

Paramedics moved Brittany from the bathroom to the master bedroom, where they found a slew of prescription drugs -- "A check of the nightstands revealed large amounts of prescription medication in the decedent's name. Also noted were numerous empty prescription medication bottles in the decedent's husband's name, the decedent's mother's name and unidentified third party names."

According to the notes, the medications included Topamax (anti-seizure meds also to prevent migraines), Methylprednisolone (anti-inflammatory), Fluoxetine (depression med), Klonopin (anxiety med), Carbamazepine (treats Diabetic symptoms and is also a bipolar med), Ativan (anxiety med), Vicoprofen (pain reliever), Propranolol (hypertension, used to prevent heart attacks), Biaxin (antibiotic), Hydrocodone (pain med) and miscellaneous vitamins.

The notes say, "No alcohol containers, paraphernalia or illegal drugs were discovered."

According to the notes, "The night prior to her death, the decedent had consumed some noodles, leftover Thai food, Gatorade, water and tea with lemon."

The notes also say Brittany had a history of hypoglycemia and was hospitalized in April 2009 for low blood sugar while on location in Oregon."

Monjack told the investigator during the 7 to 10 days prior to her death, Brittany complained of shortness of breath and severe abdominal pains but he was not overly alarmed because "she often suffered from severe menstrual pains."

The investigator spoke with police at the scene, who told him "foul play is not suspected."

http://www.tmz.com/2009/12/22/brittany-murphy-coroner-report-prescription-pills-bottles-nightstand-topamax-simon-monjack-sharon-rescue-effort-drugs-investigation/

Tommy · Guru

Brittany Murphy's Husband Tells PEOPLE: 'We Want to Know Why We Lost Our Baby'

By Lorenzo Benet

Tuesday December 22, 2009 10:30 AM EST

Brittany Murphy's Husband Tells PEOPLE: 'We Want to Know Why We Lost Our Baby' | Brittany Murphy

Brittany Murphy and Simon Monjak

A "devastated" Simon Monjack tells PEOPLE his wife Brittany Murphy did not overdose on drugs and did not suffer from an eating disorder.

"These rumors that she was anorexic? It's crazy – she was slim, but that was her natural physique," Monjack tells PEOPLE. "This is what's killing all of us? How did it happen? Her mum, myself and her family – we want to know why we lost our baby."

During a sometimes tear-filled interview, an exhausted Monjack, 39, who hasn't slept since his mother-in-law found his wife collapsed in the bathroom early Sunday, said all he knows is what doctors told him at the hospital: She died of cardiac arrest, but they won't know details until after an autopsy. (A coroner's spokesperson says the results could take up to six weeks, for toxicology reports to be final.)

"My initial reaction to the autopsy was – they're going to cut her open – I couldn't bear it," Monjack said, weeping. "That would break her mother, but we realized we needed to know. I look forward to getting the results."

He added that his wife of three years did suffer from a heart murmur (mitral valve prolapse), which can cause fatigue, dizziness and irregular heartbeats – but is generally not life threatening. Murphy didn't require medication to treat it, says Monjack. But on Saturday, he says, his wife was ill, resting in bed all day suffering from laryngitis, which the actress treated with herbal tea, ginger and lemon.

"She was on herbal remedies that wouldn't speed up her heart," Monjack says. "There was nothing here that could endanger her; there was prescription medication in the house for her female time and some cough syrup. That was it."

Asked point-blank if a drug overdose was a possible cause of death, Monjack replied, "I can get rid of that one right now," he says.

RELATED: Brittany Murphy's Husband: My World Is Destroyed

Her Last Night

Last Saturday, the couple just relaxed in bed, watching three movies as Murphy prepared to cast her vote as a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. They ordered Brittany's favorite takeout – Thai food – and ate soup prepared by Murphy's mother, Sharon, who has lived with them for 3½ years.

"She was tired and a little sad because she was sick," Monjack says about Brittany. "She wore her pink Beverly Hills Hotel robe and monkey pajamas. We saw It's Complicated, Public Enemies and The Princess and the Frog.

The couple were joined by Murphy's companion, a pet Maltese named Clara, a Christmas gift last year from Monjack that Murphy named after her favorite silent screen star, Clara Bow. "One of the saddest things is that Clara has looked everywhere for Brittany and can't find her," says Monjack.

Feeling 'Beyond Devastated'

Monjack, a photographer, first met Murphy on a photo shoot when she was 13 after she moved to Hollywood with her mother, Sharon. They began dating after being reintroduced at Murphy's 28th birthday party and married a year later.

"So many people have their views of us, but they never met us or sat down with us," he says. "I'm not perfect, but I don't think anyone is … I am feeling beyond devastated. I was in love with Brittany and Brittany with me."

The couple had plans for 2010: Brittany would continue to work, but she wanted to get pregnant. "She was an only child," says Monjack. "She wanted a baby. Her big dream next year was to have a child, and we talked about how he or she would look. She'd say, 'They'd better have your eyes and lips and my hair.' "

But Monjack did concede his wife was trying to get heavier. "She tried to gain weight but had one of those metabolisms – a high metabolism – but enjoyed food as much as anyone. I wish I could show all the receipts from the take out restaurants," he says.

RELATED: Brittany Murphy Battled Flu-Like Symptoms Before Death

Upset by Stories

"We are faced with this ridiculous reality that people out there believe she felt, 'Oh, poor me, I'm fat, I'm thin.' Brittany didn't see beauty as a physical thing, which I'm bloody lucky for," he said with a laugh. "I know there was a disparity in how we looked and I'm no movie star, but she always saw the person."

Monjack says he has been upset by some of the published reports. "It's horrible – the death of a beautiful young woman, a Hollywood icon; it has to be explained. It just can't be a tragic accident," he says, trying to explain the headlines. "We don't want to accept that a beautiful young wife and daughter woke up one morning and died a tragic death."

But he's most worried about his mother-in-law. "I don't know if she will ever recover, and I know when she reads all this nonsense about her son-in-law and her deceased daughter, her heart is breaking. She has lived with us and saw the love and support. I hope she stays – I can't imagine my life without Sharon – she's my link to Brittany."

Monjack says Brittany's family arrived in town Monday and that funeral plans are pending.

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20332369,00.html